Kids Clothing Swap in McGregor sees over 200 people helped

Essex Councillor Kim Verbeek (left) and Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy (right) presented a clothing swap in McGregor last Friday. Bondy’s daughter Kara is in the middle.

Children and adults from McGregor and surrounding communities got a chance to get some needed clothing as the summer weeks start to wind down.

The fourth annual Kids Clothing Swap took place at the McGregor Community Centre last Friday and over 200 people came out to get clothes they need not just for summer, but for the seasons ahead. While it was organized by Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy and Essex Councillor Kim Verbeek, it was geared towards anyone from any community that needed it.

“It’s just to give families a leg up,” explained Verbeek. “This is an opportunity to help families out whether they are struggling or not.”

A large room at the McGregor Community Centre was filled with clothing items with much of it gone as the day and evening progressed. While the original idea was to give away children’s clothing and shoes, there were some adult goods as well.

"If families can keep some money in their pockets, it will help with other things," she added.

"Clothing that may have otherwise had no use found a new life," Verbeek indicated.

“We’re reusing items and diverting them from the landfill,” said Verbeek.

Extra items will be donated to charities in the area so they can be distributed.

Verbeek said there were drop-off points in each of the communities of Essex – Essex Centre, Harrow and McGregor – and numerous truckloads of clothing and shoes were brought from those locations to the swap. Verbeek thanked the Pollard family of Harrow for their help in storing the clothes and the Town of Essex for the use of the building, as well as those who donated and accepted the donations prior to the clothing swap.

There were also children’s activities and snacks for kids, she added.

Some clothing will be heading to Ghana as part of a Rotary Club of Windsor (1918) trip, Verbeek pointed out. 

“It’s been incredibly rewarding,” said Verbeek. “If it helps struggling families, that’s what we want to do.”

Kids Clothing Swap in McGregor sees over 200 people helped

By Ron Giofu